Column: Panthers stay positive as negative results pile up

CHARLOTTE — Albert Einstein famously uttered the quote years ago that insanity was doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

I’d imagine Carolina Panthers fans can relate to that in a big way after seeing Sunday’s 12-7 season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks that looked a lot like 2012 — or 2011 — or many previous Panthers seasons.

After all, Carolina Panthers fans have shown remarkable loyalty to remain so hopeful after four winning records in 18 years of play entering this season. Sunday’s loss means the Panthers are a woeful 6-13 in season openers and an even-worse 5-14 in home openers. Certainly, Carolina could bounce back.

When third-year head coach Ron Rivera was asked if Sunday’s loss reminded him of the previous two seasons when the Panthers lost many games in similarly painful fashion, he answered: “Yes, it does unfortunately. But I’d like to believe we have an opportunity to change that.”

His team will need to — and fast — if it hopes to change recent history and perhaps save his job.

Sunday’s loss, which came after Carolina led 7-3 at the half and 7-6 entering the final quarter, marked the 14th time in 20 games the Panthers have lost a one-score game during Rivera’s tenure here. Since Rivera is 13-20 overall, the Panthers are 7-6 in games determined by eight or more points.

The record in those close contests is even worse in games decided in the fourth quarter, as Carolina has made two fourth-quarter rallies to win while blowing nine fourth-quarter leads in the same time frame.

Since Cam Newton has started at quarterback in every game of Rivera’s head coaching career, he and his coach share the same numbers.

Is it fair to push the panic button? Newton was emphatic that the answer would be no.

“We’re all human and it’s the first game,” Newton said. “Let’s not get up in arms. Let’s not panic now. We’re going to be all right.”

Newton’s top receiving target, Steve Smith, went so far as to say he expected the Panthers to see the Seahawks again — in late January. That would presume a successful season for Carolina that includes the team’s first playoff berth since 2008.

So, should Panthers fans also maintain high hopes for a postseason run?

“We’ll continue to try and find the answers,” Rivera said when asked about the team’s immediate goals. “We found it late last season.”

Certainly, a repeat of last year’s 5-1 finish would be viewed favorably this season. But not if it follows the 2-8 start last year’s team had.

Continued Newton: “It’s not a panic for us. For us, it’s not about starting fast. It’s about each and every opportunity and making the most of it.”

Page 2 of 2 - Unfortunately for Rivera, Newton and more than 70,000 fans at Bank of America Stadium, Sunday was one opportunity the team missed. How many more can they miss and remain so upbeat about the future?

You can reach Richard Walker at rwalker@gastongazette.com, 704-869-1841 or by twitter.com/JRWalk22